SHOEING. 81 



proved of it highly in theoiy. In order to put the 

 matter faii'ly to the practical test, however, I got the 

 horse into harness du'ectly after he was shod, and drove 

 him out a few miles. His action was so very percepti- 

 bly altered for the better, that I detennined not to part 

 with him. My after-experience with him proved the 

 correctness of my views. 



With the exception of the hunter, nearly all horses 

 should have the heels of the fore-feet shoes extended 

 well back. Theoretically, this may not be thought 

 necessary ; but practically, it will be found most im- 

 portant. I am quite confident long shoes are highly 

 advantageous. 



Some parties are very fond of having the shoes to 

 stand wide at the heels. I cannot see any advantage 

 in projecting them much beyond the crust, provided the 

 tuming-in commences behind the last nail-hole. It is 

 extremely difficult, however, to get this properly done, 

 as the workmen generally, during the operation of 

 turning the heels, bring the sides of the shoe closer 

 together, and thus run the hazard of squeezing the 

 sensible parts of the foot, by having the shoe too narrow 

 at the seat of the last nails. 



Since my manuscript was placed in the hands of the 

 printer, I have taken an opportunity of looking mto 

 Stonehenge's British Rural Sports, I have not yet 

 had time to read much of the book ; but so far as I 

 have gone, it is just such a work as I would expect 



G 



